The Kingsport Housing and Redevelopment Authority has been awarded a FY06 HOPE VI (Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere) Revitalization grant in the amount of $11,900,000, which will enable the Housing Authority to revitalize the 92 unit Riverview public housing development and pursue several additional redevelopment opportunities in Kingsport.

One hundred sixteen new, mixed income, energy efficient units will be the result of the HOPE VI project, a net increase of 24 affordable housing units. There are four coordinated, overlapping phases.

• 32 homes (24 single family detached and 8 duplex units) on the existing public housing development footprint and 6 infill single family homes in the immediate neighborhood, incorporating new urbanist and historic Kingsport design principles. _{Rendering of Riverview Neighborhood}

• Redevelopment of Lincoln Street and V.O. Dobbins Center Renovations to include

24 homeownership units will be built in Sherwood/Hiwassee neighborhood. This area was one of the original study areas in Kingsport’s Redevelopment Plan and the KHRA has obtained options on a number of adjacent properties for this new construction opportunity. The current housing that occupies the parcels will be demolished and relocation of current tenants will follow the Uniform Relocation Act. New homes will be constructed targeting first-time homeowner s. The KHRA has secured commitments for below market rate mortgages to assist families and individuals.

• Construction of 54-unit senior units will be located on the former George Washington School site. Historic Tax Credits and LIHTC funds have already been secured for this historic rehabilitation. In addition, the Washington School senior housing site will be re-graded to accommodate new parking areas, sidewalks, and open green

spaces.

Map showing all project components

Relocation and the Community Supportive Services (CSS) Plan

Current residents displaced due to the redevelopment effort will receive relocation assistance. Current residents directly affected by this revitalization effort will have first priority for all housing developed as part of the HOPE VI plan subject only to the HOPE VI revitalization strategies. That is: those moving back to the new housing must be residents in good standing who are either elderly, disabled, under a Family Self Sufficiency contract, or in a position to become a homeowner.

A survey of residents was completed as a part of the HOPE VI application process. This assessment identified the key needs of residents that would be displaced by this reconstruction and a CSS plan was designed to meet the identified needs. The plan allows case managers to serve as the link between the residents and the services that meet their unique needs. This is the critical link that makes the existing Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program work and will ensure the maximization of the CSS program. Under the CSS strategy major programming is provided in the areas identified as priorities in the Resident Survey. All residents may benefit from each program area, but the focus will be on the needs of each household.

The CSS program will track each resident with the expectation that categories will change as noted in the table to the left. Northeast State Community College will evaluate the available data annually, supplemented by interviews and focus groups, to determine program effectiveness in enabling persons to move towards housing and income self-sufficiency, where that is feasible, or towards a more stable, fulfilling life for those where this is not feasible. This redevelopment project will also provide dozens of jobs and economic opportunities for residents and businesses.

The KHRA has a very strong Family Self Sufficiency public housing and Section 8 program; one in which a number of families have already achieved homeownership. More than 40 corporate and service agency partners including corporate and business partners, UETHDA, United Way, and faith-based partners are assisting with this effort.

In summary, this project will change the physical shape of public housing so that it reflects the surrounding community instead of being seen as isolated housing, develop positive incentives for resident self- sufficiency, leverage support and resources by joining with other community partners, build back more affordable housing than is being demolished, eliminate severely distressed and blighted conditions, provide economic benefits to the City as a whole and opportunities for home ownership.